The World Health Organisation (WHO) has confirmed that Nepal has eliminated rubella as a public health problem, marking a major step forward in the country’s efforts to control vaccine-preventable diseases.
Rubella, known as German measles or three-day measles is a contagious viral infection best known by its distinctive red rash that poses serious risks to pregnant women, including miscarriage, stillbirth and severe birth defects.
It is caused by virus RuV. It can be transmitted from person-to-person via cough, sneeze or touch surfaces with the virus. Although the illness is preventable with safe and cost-effective vaccines.
The decision followed a recommendation from the Regional Verification Commission for Measles and Rubella Elimination in South-East Asia (SEA-RVC), which reviewed Nepal’s surveillance data and immunisation coverage during its annual meeting held from 22 to 24 July 2025.
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Nepal becomes the sixth country in the WHO South-East Asia Region to eliminate rubella, joining Bhutan, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Maldives, Sri Lanka and Timor-Leste. The region has set 2026 as the target year for eliminating both measles and rubella.
Officer-in-Charge of WHO South-East Asia, Dr Catharina Boehme, said the achievement reflected strong political commitment, the dedication of health workers and volunteers, and the involvement of communities.
“Nepal’s success reflects the unwavering commitment of its leadership, persistent efforts of the health care workers and volunteers, and unstinting support of engaged and informed communities, for a healthy start for babies and a future free of rubella disease,” she said.
Nepal’s Minister of Health and Population, Pradip Paudel, described the development as a significant accomplishment of the national immunisation programme, which he called one of the “strongest pillars” of the health system.
He expressed appreciation for support from WHO and Gavi, and urged stakeholders to maintain momentum so that “I call upon all stakeholders to continue their unwavering support so that no child in Nepal has to suffer from a vaccine-preventable disease.”
The country introduced rubella-containing vaccines in 2012 through a nationwide campaign for children aged between nine months and 15 years. A second dose was added to the routine schedule in 2016.
Four subsequent national campaigns—in 2012, 2016, 2020 and 2024—helped sustain progress, despite challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic and the major earthquakes of 2015 and 2023. By 2024, coverage for at least one dose of the vaccine exceeded 95%.
Authorities also employed innovative approaches, including an ‘immunisation month’, outreach services to reach unvaccinated children, and district-level initiatives to achieve “fully immunised” status.
Surveillance has been strengthened with the introduction of a new laboratory testing algorithm, the first of its kind in the region.
WHO’s Representative to Nepal, Dr Rajesh Pandav, congratulated the country, stressing that the outcome was the result of close collaboration between the government, health workers, partners and communities.
The SEA-RVC was established in 2016 to monitor progress towards eliminating measles and rubella in the region. Its verification process is based on reports from national committees in each member state.
The initial regional goal, set in 2013, was to eliminate measles and control rubella by 2020. This was later revised to full elimination of both diseases by 2023, and following setbacks during the COVID-19 pandemic, the target was extended to 2026.
